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When it comes to musicians, they are just as likely to have run-ins with the law as any other type of celebrity. Although our Maggie Nicols, despite being a staunch feminist, never had any trouble. But let’s look at some examples.

Willie Nelson is a great example. A longtime advocate for pot, he also was in trouble with the law for narcotic mushrooms as well as for his back taxes. Although it’s all been sorted out, he had a rough go of it while things were settled up to the law enforcement’s liking.

In 1930, Louis Armstrong was in trouble along with his drummer Vic Berton. Just outside of the Cotton Club in California, he spent the night in a cell and was laughing most of the night due to his high. The judge gave each of them sentences of six months which he later suspended and changed to a fine of $1000.

More pot advocates, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were arrested in London in their own home in the year of 1968. As Lennon attempted to get rid of the evidence (we’re not sure how he disposed of it exactly), police read him the warrant through his bedroom window. They eventually broke down his front door and turned their Drug-sniffing dogs loose to find hash as well as a cigarette rolling machine that had traces of morphine, hash, and marijuana on them. Lennon was given a fine of 150 pounds after he plead guilty. He wasn’t the only Beatle who was arrested for Marijuana use. Paul McCartney was arrested in 1984.

In Los Angeles in the year of 1968, Clapton was arrested with three other members of Buffalo Springfield and Neil Young. Jim Messina, as well as Richie Rufay were all up on charges of possession of marijuana. The last 3 were found guilty and fined, however, Clapton beat all of the charges and was released.

This event was rumored to be the cause of Buffalo Springfield’s break up.

Marijuana has played a big part of influencing music including jazz music. If you are ever arrested like these musicians and might need to post bail, there are several different bail bond companies that can help you like Lucky 7 Bail. They have been helping the resident of NJ by getting them out of jail quickly for many years.

Making a top 10 list of the finest female jazz singers is difficult enough, but trimming that list down to a top three is even more difficult! While there will be some controversy, especially over that number three slot since there are so many good options, generally speaking the same few names come up again and again when discussing who the best female jazz singers are.

#1: Ella FitzgeraldElla Fitzgerald is an absolute legend when it comes to music in general, and there is probably only one name that can compete with her as far as incredible female jazz singers go. Now the name that is most often associated with jazz music, especially when talking about vocals, the woman who was nicknamed the Queen of Jazz built her reputation over decades of incredible vocal work especially when singing what is referred to as jazz scat – and especially improvised version of jazz singing is extremely difficult to do well.

#2: Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday, often nicknamed Lady Day, was a giant among female jazz singers and one of the few names that we mentioned in the same breath as Ella Fitzgerald. She died relatively young, but had already put two decades of solid work into jazz by the time of her tragic early demise. A must-have for any jazz collection.

#3: Nina Simone
Etta James would have been another good choice for this spot, but we’re going to give the nod to Simone. The sixth child of a preacher, you know learn classical piano as a child but would find her taste and passion in providing incredible jazz music and vocals to this expressive form of music. Ironically, Nina’s real name is Eunice Waymon and she use this stage name because her family associated jazz with “The Devil’s Music.” Just listen to those vocals:

I swear, every single time I hear her sing this song I get chills. Her alto voice, the piano, it’s hard to believe that she is a white woman from Scotland! Is that offensive? Her vibrato is on point! Let me know what you think!